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Hi,

I would like to change the oil on my 4300 myself this time around. It due... I tried to remove the plug last weekend and can't get it to budge. I've rounded a few of the corners of the bolt already so before I go further I'd like to ask for some advice. I usually change fluids on all my equipment but this is the first time I've tried to do so on my 4300. Previously had it done at the dealer while it was under warrenty.

Anyone know the exact size of that plug? I don't think I have a six-sided socket and I need to get one for this job before I try anything again.

That is a normally threaded plug isn't it? Didn't see anything in the manual about reverse threading. I've done everything but take a hammer to it and without a better grip on the plug with the right socket I won't.

Thanks,
Peter in Dallas

Stuck 4300 Oil Pan Plug
John Deere Tractors
Replies 2 Post by PeterH

Ok, I started this thread so its about time I updated it... I've kept 7 baby food jars of moth balls under the hood of my 4300 for the past month. So far it seems to be working very well. Or it could be the baby rattle snake I found next to the tractor last weekend... but I doubt it. I'm also using mothballs under the hood of my pickup truck that I keep at my place with my tractor. I haven't found anything better than mothballs so far. But I am getting just a bit tired of the old joke about how I got the moth's legs apart... my wife keeps asking... she needs to get out more...

Thanks for the suggestion! :-)
Pete in Dallas

Those % mice
John Deere Tractors
Replies 21 Post by PeterH

Thanks for the information. I'll take your advice on having a dealer replace the hose and the ends. I'd rather pay more and have it done right than pay for it twice having messed it up once.

But I'm wondering if I could manage to attach the new hose to the manifold myself? Are there any special tools needed? Looks like I can get a good grip on the hex nut with a wrench...

And if I remove the hose in the field, how should I protect the connection from dirt? Finally, how do I bleed the air out of the system after attaching the new hose? Could have sworn I saw a procedure described in the Deere.com site the other day but I can't find it again.

Of course, if you think I shouldn't try that, please let me know.

Thanks again for the reminder about the danger of such a break. I consider myself lucky that the hole in the hose was pointed down rather than in my direction. I've read about the danger of high pressure fluids under the skin.

Peter
Dallas, Texas

Busted 48 Backhoe
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by PeterH

Harvey and everyone else: thanks for all the thoughts on this. This past weekend I managed to spend 5 solid hours on the tractor using the backhoe and FEL to prepare an area for a steel building I bought to house the tractor. And of course, all sorts of other junk. That sticky FEL lever goes away quickly after I've used the tractor for a bit so I'm thinking that Harvey might be on to something. I'll check under that rubber boot and maybe lube the links up a bit. The tractor only has about 140 hours on it and I've had it almost 2 years now. Seems a waste almost but I REFUSE to part with such a nice machine that is so useful when I have the time to work with it.

Had a real scare the other day with it. I took off the tarp I use to cover it and found all these silver shavings all over they cylinders. After catching by breath, I realized it was just the tarp flaking.

Oh, Harvy, I also appreciate the explanation of the dumping hesitation. It makes perfect sense and I'm sure my tractor is behaving perfectly normal now.
Thanks again. Pete

Sticky Hydraulics
John Deere Tractors
Replies 8 Post by PeterH

Another dumb question just crossed my mind. I was reading some of the older posts about fuel and storing it. I've got several 5 gallon containers of diesel that have turned dark. Meaning the fuel itself looks dark almost like light motor oil. I've been afraid to put it in my tractor for fear of doing serious harm. One person here said they were filtering the fuel. I could probably scare up some old nylons from the boss lady but I doubt that would fix this problem. Should I just use the fuel to start fires or is it usable?

Old fuel
John Deere Tractors
Replies 3 Post by PeterH

I have a 4300 with a 48 hoe and see the same behavior with my rig. I've taken to using a cargo strap to keep the stabilizers up when the tractor is in the shed. Lately I've noticed that the FEL won't hold a load when the bucket is elevated above 6 feet or so. By the sounds of this thread, I shouldn't be too concerned with this unless it gets much worse suddenly. If that isn't right, please say so!

48 hoe Bleed down a problem
John Deere Tractors
Replies 5 Post by PeterH